What is DE--tell me quick cuz I have some nonbrug cuttings and :S I just thought they were umm plain ol gnats, I didnt know they were harmful?
About Fungus Gnats
Diatomaceous earth
check this out i hope you all like it
http://www.ehow.com/how_9839_make-own-yellow.html
moretz
Yes, whoever asked about the peroxide. I use 1 Tablespoon each of peroxide, the regular 3.5 that you get at the grocery store and palmolive dish soap and fill the larger spritz bottle with distilled water. I spritz the soil also. Once in a while I see one of them and I have my bottle handy and usually get it as soon as it lands.
Jeanette
I was mad, two days ago I replanted some seedlings, and yes, you guessed it there were gnats in the soil, now I am fighting them all over again, and one of my bigest seedlings leaves are wilting, I had Gnatrol on hand and started using it right away, I also have the sticky strips, I purchased both on line, I cut my sticky strips in half, cut the bottom off then I have four strips and I lay them across the pots, works pretty good.
I have been fighting fungus gnats in the GH for the past month or so. I put up the yellow sticky cards in the GH and directly on the containers...I am watering only when I see some leaves drooping, and when I do water it is with the mosquito dunks in water. Also tried neem oil a few days ago. After all of this, I still have gnats. Not near as many, but I still see some.
Yesterday I read on another thread about beneficial nematodes called Scanmask from PlanetNatural. I ordered some. It is supposed to stay good in the refrig. for several months. You scratch some into the surface of the soil of the containers. I am hoping it works well to rid me of them. I also have afew in the house near seedlings and container plants. I will let you know how it does for me after I use it.
Sorry...I didn't read this whole thread so if this was mentioned before in it...I guess I mentioned it again!
I go here for my sticky strips http://www.ghorganics.com/
they cost $4.50 for 5 5X7 strips I cut mine in half down the center then cut the bottom of making 20 strips that are sticky on one side, I then lay them flat on top of the plant, works good.
Doris
Doris...do you put the sticky side up or down facing the soil?
sticky side UP, and it is amazing how many you can trap that way
Thanks...that is what I have done...but I just can't seem to get them ALL !
I think it is impossible to get them all because they just keep hatching out. Where did they come from? A few years ago, I sure don't remember ever seeing them around. All of a sudden, everyone has them. Nasty little critters. Them and the whiteflies.
Brugie...I had them a few years ago on plants I had in containers outdoors. Also containers indoors. I didn't realize the damage they do to the roots then. I do tend to over-water....
I don't think mine are the fungus gnates as they look just like tiny fruit flies, and the fungus gnat on the Net looks like a bug.
http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/fungusgn.html Here is a drawing of a fungus gnat. They are tiny. I know this sounds horrible, but they seem to like to fly around the wine glass at dinner time and I have no doubt that I have probably swallowed one and didn't know it. I know have have breathed one up my nose. They are such pests in so many ways...........
Thanks again Brugie, that's it, but why does the one on the Net where they advertise Gnatrole look like a large ladybug.
I don't know. You would have to post or send the site to me so I could look. Maybe it is useful for other things.
oooops Brugie I goofed, I went to the site, URL posted above, and they have Fungus gnat but the picture goes with Japanese beatle (hiding face)
That's okay Doris. Been there, done that myself.
Here are a few "nuggets" of information I have learned over the years re Fungus Gnats. Not saying I have actually done all of these, but they all come from knowlegable sources. Doesn't hurt to add these to your info. Files.
1. Fungus Gnats come in potting soils that have NOT been properly sterilized by the manufacturer to a certain Temperature. If you want to go through the trouble, you can bake your soil in the oven for a half an hour at 200-something degrees (not sure on the degrees). May be worth it for tender, priceless cuttings or if you are growing seeds.
2. F.G.'s fly about in the daytime and return to the soil at night. If you can keep them from re-entering the soil (by whatever means), their life span outside of the soil is about 2 weeks. Then they are gonners, naturally. Just grin and bear it.....
3. A woman, who works for one of these companies that take care of all the houseplants in offices and public buildings, once told me that if you water your plants with 1tsp. of CLEAR ammonia in a gallon of water, it will kill the FG's. ( or, maybe, keep them from re-entering the soil). I do not know wheather this would kill the larva as well?
4. This is a chemical control, and can get extensive, but if you only have a few Houseplants that have the gnats on them, you can sprinkle Systemic Granules on the soil and water it in. That kills EVERYTHING living in the soil!
5. I have heard that you can also cover these yellow cards with a thick coating of Petrolium jelly and these flying pests will stick to that also. Harmless--cheap--and do-it-yourself!
As I said, none of these are to be taken as "gospel"! But I just thought I would share all I know about these annoying pests!
Happy Holidays to all you wonderful people out there! Gitagal
Gnats again!! I had a lot of them last winter but when the plants (Brugs)were outside over summer they seemed to disappear.
Then I bought some soil that was "Moisture PLUS Potting Mix" to pot up a Diffenbachia (sp?)
and after a few weeks the gnats appeared in hoards! Can the soil be infected? So far the gnats are only around this one pot. Sure is frustrating!!
This potting soil was recommended to me by one who uses it and also has a problem with gnats.!!
I didn't realize this thread was from last year! Somethings always stay the same.
Didn't someone say they had the the BT as granules and they were cheaper and easier than the Pool Dunks? I am out of my pool dunks so this is a good time to switch. Anyone remember?
I am potting up new bruglings so often now. I lost 2 to what I think are fungus gnats. They just collapsed, the poor little babies and the soil had them!! I think I have them in my 2 cu bag of soil I have been using.
When I discovered that I had a second bag of more expensive potting soil infected I spent the morning baking the soil, I place a large 'shallow' pan of soil in the oven on 400 degrees for ten mins, and put the soil in new plastic garbage bag after it had cooled down, I have about twenty seeds that are not germinating, in rockwool, could the gnats have gotten to them? I use Gntrol every time I water, also have the sticky papers, I even have the fly paper hanging between the plants that have gotten quit a few.
Potting soil manufacturers NEVER sterilize their soil, they dig it, mix it and bag it.
I never had problems with fungus gnats because I sterilize the soil before sowing.
monika...good to see you, happy new year...could you tell me alittle bit more about how you sterilize the soil? I did a small amount by pouring boiling water over it, but then need to strain out the water. I think I used a coffee filter to strain...but how do you do a large amount of soil?
I guess I should take out your book...Is it in there?
Margie
I sure had a problem with fungus Gnats and lost a bunch of seeds when i first started trying to grow seeds and Monika told us to sterilize the soil and I haven't had a problem since. I fill a fifteen or twenty gallon pot about three fourths full and pour boiling water thru it, stirring it to make sure all the soil is saturated and let it set until it drains. Someone else may have a better way of doing it. I'm sure Monika will answer your question.